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Head-to-Head: RBC Avion Rewards vs. American Express Membership Rewards

Head-to-Head: RBC Avion Rewards vs. American Express Membership Rewards
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With so many different rewards programs to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which one suits you best.

That said, if you like the idea of collecting a flexible and transferable rewards currency, you’ll certainly want to consider either the RBC Avion Rewards program or the American Express Membership Reward program (or both).

Both of these options are financial institution-run programs that earn versatile rewards currencies with diverse redemption choices and good value potential.

In this article, we’ll compare these two programs and currencies to see if one is better than the other and how they stack up in different key areas.

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RBC Avion Rewards vs. American Express Membership Rewards

To see which of these transferable rewards currencies reigns supreme, we’ll compare the following categories:

  • Earning points
  • Redeeming points
  • Program benefits

Earning Points

Both RBC Avion Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards have a few ways to earn points — namely, with credit cards, through their shopping portal, by booking travel, with partnered programs/merchants, and through referrals.

Credit cards

The RBC Avion Rewards program offers the following credit cards:

These cards represent two different Avion membership levels (i.e., Premium and Elite), and their earning rates range from 1 point per $1 spent up to 3 points per $1 spent with the RBC ION+ Visa Card.

Additionally, many of these cards give you a chance to earn lucrative welcome offers that can help you access free/discounted travel and other valuable redemptions faster.

Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$1,050
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,050Total$1,050Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 70,000 points
Ends Nov 25, 2026
Apply Now

on RBC's website

  • Start flying today with 15,000 welcome points
  • Earn 1 RBC Rewards point for every dollar you spend
  • No blackout periods or seat restrictions – ever

With this limited-time welcome offer, you can earn up to 70,000 Avion points as a welcome bonus with the RBC Avion Visa Platinum Card!

  • Receive 35,000 points upon approval
  • 20,000 additional points when you spend $5,000 within the first six months of account opening
  • 15,000 additional points on the first anniversary of your account opening

You have until November 25, 2026 to apply.

You can use your Avion points for travel or convert them to other loyalty programs such as:

  • American Airlines AAdvantage
  • British Airways Executive Club (and Qatar Airways Privilege Club)
  • Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
  • WestJet Rewards

The current welcome offer lets you get the equivalent of 70,000 Avios or 70,000 WestJet points.

With the RBC Avion Visa Platinum Card, you earn 1 point for every dollar spent.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$15,000
Household$15,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,335
2nd Year Value$264

Transfer partners

  • American Airlines AAdvantageAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • WestJet RewardsAirline

Travel insurance

Trip CancellationUp to $1,000
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$1,050
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,050Total$1,050Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 70,000 points
Ends Nov 25, 2026
Apply Now

on RBC's website

For a limited time, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card offers a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 Avion points, worth up to $1,500 in travel.

  • 35,000 points upon approval of your application
  • 20,000 points when you charge $5,000 in purchases to your account within the first six months
  • 15,000 points on the first anniversary of your account

You can redeem your Avion points for flights with more than 500 airlines, with no blackout periods or seat restrictions, or transfer them to partner programs such as American Airlines AAdvantage, The British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and WestJet Rewards.

The card earns you 1.25 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on all your other eligible purchases. It also includes extensive insurance coverage: emergency medical, trip cancellation and interruption, collision coverage for rental vehicles, and mobile devices.

The annual fee is $120.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1.25xTravel
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,369
2nd Year Value$271

Transfer partners

  • American Airlines AAdvantageAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • WestJet RewardsAirline

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Included
Travel medical (55-64)Included
Travel medical (65+)Included
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,500 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
Annual fee
$399
Our valuation
$1,500
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,500Total$1,500Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 100,000 points
Ends Nov 25, 2026
Apply Now

on RBC's website

  • Start travelling today with 25,000 welcome points
  • Earn 1.25 RBC Rewards points for every dollar you spend
  • Enjoy luxury travel benefits and exclusive privileges

For a limited time, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card offers a welcome bonus of up to 100,000 Avion points, representing a travel value of up to $2,375.

  • 35,000 points upon approval of your application
  • 20,000 points when you charge $5,000 in purchases to your account within the first six months
  • 45,000 points on your account’s first anniversary

With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card, you also receive 6 complimentary airport lounge visits each year.

You can redeem your Avion points for flights on over 500 airlines, with no blackout periods or seat restrictions, or transfer them to partner programs such as American Airlines AAdvantage, The British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and WestJet Rewards.

The card also gives you access to priority lanes, security services, and reserved parking at select Canadian airports.

You earn 1.25 Avion points per dollar on all your purchases, and the card includes comprehensive insurance coverage: emergency medical care, trip cancellation and interruption, and mobile devices up to $1,500.

Annual fee

Primary card$399
Additional card$99

Annual income required

Individual$200,000
Household$200,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1.25xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,607
2nd Year Value$321

Transfer partners

  • American Airlines AAdvantageAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • WestJet RewardsAirline

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Included
Travel medical (55-64)Included
Travel medical (65+)Included
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $2,500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $3,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+2 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,500 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $85,000 / 48 days
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$300
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$300Total$300Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
20,000 points
Apply Now

on RBC's website

  • 20,000 welcome points upon enrolment
  • Earn 1 RBC Rewards point for every $1 spent in net purchases with your card
  • No blackout periods or seat restrictions

The RBC Avion Visa Business Card is a business credit card in the RBC Avion Rewards program, designed for self-employed workers and business owners who want to earn travel points on their business spending.

You earn Avion points, redeemable for travel with a great deal of flexibility, and the welcome offer can reach 20,000 Avion points on approval. The annual fee is $120.

The annual interest rate is 19.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances. A 2.5% conversion fee applies to foreign currency transactions.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$585
2nd Year Value$264

Transfer partners

  • American Airlines AAdvantageAirline

Travel insurance

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
Annual fee
$175
Our valuation
$525
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$525Total$525Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
35,000 points
Apply Now

on RBC's website

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business Card is the premium business credit card in the RBC Avion Rewards program, designed for business owners who travel.

Get 35,000 bonus Avion points upon approval.

What the card gives you:

  • 1.25 RBC Rewards points per dollar in net purchases charged to your card, up to $75,000 per year, then 1 point per dollar beyond that
  • A Visa Airport Companion membership, which opens access to more than 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, at US$32 per person per visit
  • Avion points that are redeemable for travel with a great deal of flexibility, with no blackout dates
  • Additional cards for your employees, at $75 each, up to 9 cards

The annual fee is $175. The annual interest rate is 19.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances. A 2.5% conversion fee applies to foreign currency transactions.

Annual fee

Primary card$175
Additional card$75

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1.25xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$856
2nd Year Value$305

Transfer partners

  • American Airlines AAdvantageAirline

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Included
Travel medical (55-64)Included
Travel medical (65+)Included
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $2,000 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
Annual fee
$0
Our valuation
$210
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$210Total$210Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 14,000 points
Ends Nov 4, 2026
Apply Now

on RBC's website

With the RBC ION Visa card, earn up to 14,000 Avion points^, a value of up to $100 in gift cards.

This RBC credit card with no annual fee lets you earn 1.5X Avion points per dollar in the following categories1:

  • Groceries
  • Transit, gas, and electric vehicle charging
  • Streaming, digital games, and subscriptions

You also earn 1 Avion point per dollar on all other eligible purchases1.

Plus, save 3¢ per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada and earn 20% more Petro-Points and Avion points when you pay with an eligible linked RBC card4.

Annual fee

Primary card$0
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1.5xGas & EV
  • 1.5xStreaming
  • 1.5xGroceries
  • 1.5xTransit
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$773
2nd Year Value$200

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Annual fee
$48
Our valuation
$420
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$420Total$420Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 28,000 points
Ends Nov 4, 2026
Apply Now

on RBC's website

With the RBC ION+ Visa Card, get up to 28,000 Avion points^, which is a value of up to $200 in gift cards. Apply by November 4, 2026.

This offer includes:

  • 7,000 Avion points upon approval^
  • 14,000 additional Avion points when you charge at least $1,500 in eligible purchases to your account within the first 6 months^
  • 7,000 anniversary Avion points^

This RBC credit card allows you to earn 3X the Avion points per dollar on the following categories1:

  • Groceries, restaurants and meal delivery
  • Transportation, gas and electric vehicle charging
  • Streaming, digital games, and subscriptions

You also earn 1 Avion point per dollar on all other eligible purchases1.

Plus, save 3¢ per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada and earn 20% more Petro-Points and Avion points when you pay with an eligible linked RBC card4.

Finally, benefit from mobile device insurance3 providing two years of protection, up to $1,000, in the event of loss, theft, accidental damage, or breakdown of your mobile device purchased with the card.

Annual fee

Primary card$48
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 3xGroceries
  • 3xGas & EV
  • 3xTransit
  • 3xStreaming
  • 3xRestaurants
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,380
2nd Year Value$269

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years

Comparatively, the American Express Membership Rewards program can be accessed with the following credit cards:

In terms of earning rates, the best one is available with the American Express Cobalt Card which gives you 5 MR points per $1 spent in the food and drink category, in addition to other elevated earning rates.

American Express cards also often come with welcome offers that can significantly speed up your points-earning opportunities.

Annual fee
$0
Our valuation
$170
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$170Total$170Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
10,000 points
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

Do you want a cash back credit card with no annual fee that earns travel points? Here’s an option for you: American Express® Green Card.

By signing up for the American Express® Green Card, you can earn 10,000 Membership Rewards Welcome Bonus Points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your Card in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. This is a $100 value for travel or any purchase on the Card.

You can also transfer your points to airline partners (Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Flying Blue, etc.) and hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors).

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning:

  • 10,000 Aeroplan points
  • 10,000 Avios points
  • 10,000 Flying Blue Miles
  • 12,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

That’s a nice welcome bonus for a credit card with no annual fee.

You’ll also have access to online promotional offers to earn points or rebates on your purchases with this no annual fee credit card.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Annual fee

Primary card$0
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$629
2nd Year Value$408

Transfer partners

  • AeroplanAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • Etihad GuestAirline
  • Marriott BonvoyHotel

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionUp to $1,000 / 90 days
Extended Warranty+1 years
Annual fee
$191.88
Our valuation
$255
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$255Total$255Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 15,000 points
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The American Express Cobalt® Card is the best credit card from American Express, whether you want points for travel or cash back.

American Express Cobalt® Card welcome offer

The welcome bonus is paid out monthly over your first 12 months. You earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you charge $750 in net purchases to your card, in any category (1X, 2X, 3X or 5X). That adds up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points over the year, a welcome offer we value at $255.

Earning the full bonus means $9,000 in net purchases spread across 12 monthly billing periods. This offer rewards steady monthly spending rather than one large purchase.

You can use these points as statement credits on everyday or travel purchases, at the same rate either way: 1,000 points = $10.

You can also transfer them to Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways and Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors. With the full welcome bonus, that is a choice between:

  • 15,000 Aeroplan points
  • 15,000 Avios points
  • 15,000 Flying Blue Miles
  • 18,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

If hotel points are what you are after, our ultimate guide to Marriott Bonvoy and our complete map of Marriott Bonvoy hotels by category show what those points can actually buy.

American Express Cobalt® Card benefits

Here is what the card gives you, starting with the benefits cardholders use most.

  • 5X points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada: groceries, restaurants and bars, home food delivery and convenience stores. A spend cap applies.
  • 3X points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
  • 2X points on eligible gas, public transit and ride sharing purchases in Canada.
  • 1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings made through American Express Travel Online.
  • 1X point per dollar on everything else, with no category restrictions.
  • Points that hold the same value either way: 1,000 points = $10 as a statement credit, or a 1:1 transfer to several airline and hotel loyalty programs.
  • No minimum income requirement, as with every American Express Canada card.
  • Additional cards at no extra cost: the first and every other supplementary card is $0.
  • The Hotel Collection: a room upgrade when available, 12pm check-in and late check-out when available, and up to $100 USD in hotel credit on amenities charged to the room for a stay of two or more consecutive nights, booked through American Express Travel.
  • Front Of The Line® presale and reserved tickets for concerts and theatre performances, plus offers and events curated for cardmembers through Amex Experiences.
  • A soft credit check before you apply: you can see whether you will be approved with no impact to your credit score. This applies to American Express personal card applications.

To see how it compares with the rest of the line-up, read our round-up of the best credit cards from American Express in Canada.

The 5X categories and where they apply

The 5X rate is the reason most people carry this card. In Canada it covers four kinds of merchants:

  • Groceries: Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, Safeway, Whole Foods.
  • Restaurants and bars: sit-down meals, takeout and drinks.
  • Home food delivery.
  • Convenience stores: Couche-Tard, 7-Eleven.

The 2X rate covers gas stations such as Esso, Shell and Petro-Canada, along with public transit and ride sharing.

With the American Express Cobalt® Card, you earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:

Category Points per dollar
Grocery (Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, etc.) 5
Home food delivery 5
Restaurants and bars 5
Convenience stores 5
Streaming services 3
Service station 2
Transport 2
Travel 1
Other 1

That works out to a 1 to 5% return on those purchases. For example, if you spend $1,000 per month across groceries, restaurants and food delivery, you earn $50 back per month, or $600 per year from that category alone. Transfer the points to a program such as Aeroplan instead and the return can be higher.

You can also stack these categories with the hundreds of stores that offer 5x points.

American Express Cobalt® Card insurance coverage

The card comes with a broad insurance package. The amounts below are the coverage limits; conditions, age limits and exclusions are set out in the certificate of insurance linked in the Insurance section above.

Travel insurance

  • Emergency medical: up to $5,000,000 for the first 15 days of a trip.
  • Travel accident: accidental death and dismemberment of up to $250,000 for you, your spouse and dependent children under age 23 when travelling on a common carrier (plane, train, bus or ship) and the tickets are charged to your card. Supplementary cardholders and their families are covered too.
  • Flight delay: up to $500 for necessary hotel, meal and sundry expenses bought within 48 hours when you are delayed or denied boarding for four hours or more and no other transportation is available. This $500 is an aggregate limit per occurrence, shared with missed connection and delayed baggage coverage.
  • Delayed baggage: up to $500 for essential clothing and sundries bought within four days when your outbound luggage is delayed six hours or more. This $500 is an aggregate limit per occurrence, shared with missed connection and flight delay coverage.
  • Lost or stolen baggage: up to $500 per occurrence for all insured persons combined, for checked or carry-on baggage and personal effects in transit, when the airline tickets are charged to your card. Within that limit, jewellery is capped at $300 per occurrence and golf clubs, including golf bags, at $250 per occurrence.
  • Hotel and motel burglary: up to $500 against the loss of most personal items if your hotel or motel is burglarized, when the stay is charged to your card.

Rental car insurance

Theft and damage coverage is included for a rental car with an MSRP, for its model year, of up to $85,000 excluding all taxes, for rentals of up to 48 days. To use it, decline the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or any similar option from the rental company and charge the full rental to your card. There is no cost for this coverage, and it replaces the daily insurance the rental company charges, usually $16 to $23 per day.

Mobile device insurance

Your device is covered for up to $1,000 per occurrence when it is charged to the card, for up to two years from the date of purchase. The payout is based on the depreciated value of the device, which falls by 2% of the purchase price for every completed month, less a 10% deductible. Theft and accidental damage coverage starts on the 91st day after purchase, because the first 90 days are covered by purchase protection.

Purchase protection and extended warranty

Eligible items charged to your card are insured against accidental physical damage or theft for 90 days from the purchase date, up to $1,000 per occurrence for all items combined. The card also extends the original manufacturer’s warranty by up to one additional year on eligible items, with indemnification limited to $10,000 per insured item and $25,000 per Cardmember per policy year for all items combined.

American Express Cobalt® Card fees

  • Card fee: $15.99 per month, which equals $191.88 per year, for residents outside Quebec. Quebec residents are billed $191.88 per year.
  • Additional cards: $0.
  • Purchase interest rate: 21.99%.
  • Cash advance interest rate: 21.99%.
  • Foreign transaction fee: 2.5%.
  • Minimum income required: none.

Because the fee is billed monthly rather than in one annual charge, you can stop and restart the cost in step with how much you are actually using the card.

Annual fee

Primary card$191.88
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xRestaurants
  • 5xGroceries
  • 5xConvenience
  • 3xStreaming
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xGas & EV
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,828
2nd Year Value$799

Transfer partners

  • AeroplanAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • Etihad GuestAirline
  • Flying BlueAirline
  • Hilton HonorsHotel
  • Marriott BonvoyHotel

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $250,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionUp to $1,000 / 90 days
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Annual fee
$250
Our valuation
$1,020
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,020Total$1,020Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 60,000 points
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points with this welcome offer for the American Express Gold Rewards Card. That’s a value of $600 toward travel or any purchase charged to the Card:

  • 5,000 Membership Rewards points per month when you charge $1,000 in net purchases to your Card, for 12 months (a total of 60,000 points in the first year).

You can also transfer your points to airline partners such as Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways, Qatar Airways, Finnair), Flying Blue, and hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors).

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to :

  • 60,000 Aeroplan points
  • 60,000 Avios
  • 60,000 Flying Blue Miles
  • 72,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With this Card, you get many benefits like:

  • $100 annual travel credit
  • Priority Pass membership and 4 complimentary Plaza Premium visits per year
  • $50 NEXUS credit

You earn 2 points per dollar for travel purchases, and at:

  • gas stations
  • grocery stores
  • drugstores

And 1 point per dollar everywhere else.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Annual fee

Primary card$250
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 2xPharmacy
  • 2xGas & EV
  • 2xTravel
  • 2xGroceries
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,555
2nd Year Value$589

Transfer partners

  • AeroplanAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • Etihad GuestAirline
  • Flying BlueAirline
  • Hilton HonorsHotel
  • Marriott BonvoyHotel

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$160

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $1,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Annual fee
$799
Our valuation
$1,700
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,700Total$1,700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 100,000 points
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

Terms of the offer

  • Unlock special experiences with the newly designed metal Platinum Card
  • New Platinum® Cardmembers, earn 25,000 Welcome Bonus Membership Rewards® points when you charge $2,000 in purchases to your Card in the first three months of Cardmembership
  • Earn 3 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining in Canada, 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel, and 1 point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
  • You will have access to a $200 CAD Annual Travel Credit to use towards any single travel booking of $200 or more charged to your Platinum Card and made on www.americanexpress.ca/travel or through Platinum Card® Travel Service
  • Take full advantage of the American Express Global Lounge Collection which unlocks access to over 1200 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges, and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience
  • Enjoy complimentary benefits that offer an average value of $550 USD at over 1,000 extraordinary properties worldwide when you book Fine Hotels & Resorts.
  • Platinum Cardmembers can enjoy access to special events and unique opportunities
  • Enjoy premium benefits at the Toronto Pearson Airport including security bypass, complimentary valet car service and discount car care and parking
  • You will also have access to many leading hotel and car rental companies’ loyalty programs. Our partners include Marriott International, Hilton Hotels and Resorts®, Radisson Hotel Group Hotels and Resorts, Hertz® and Avis®
  • As a Charge Card, the balance must always be paid in full each month. 30% annual interest rate applies to balances not paid in full. Payments must be received and processed by the date of the next monthly statement to avoid interest charges
  American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details, current product information and Terms and Conditions, click the Apply now link. Conditions Apply

The Platinum Card® is the best premium card in Canada for travellers.

With this welcome offer, you can earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points:

  • 70,000 points after charging $10,000 to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
  • 30,000 points when you make a purchase between the 15th and 17th month after your Cardmembership begins

With this Card, you get:

  • 2 points per $1 on eligible dining and delivery purchases in Canada
  • 2 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases charged to the Card
  • 1 point per $1 on all other purchases charged to the Card

You can use your Membership Rewards® points in many ways:

  • Transfer points to airline partners: Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways / Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Delta SkyMiles, etc.
  • Transfer points to hotel partners, including Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
  • Redeem points for statement credits to offset any travel purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
  • Redeem points for statement credits towards other purchases (1,000 points = $10)
  • And more!

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards® points to a partner loyalty program, you could earn up to:

  • 100,000 Aeroplan points
  • 100,000 Avios
  • 100,000 Flying Blue Miles
  • 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With this card, you also have advantages for your travels:

  • $200 Annual Travel Credit
  • An annual meal credit of $200
  • A $100 statement credit for NEXUS membership
  • Complimentary access for you and one additional guest to more than 1,550 airport lounges in over 140 countries
  • Hilton Honors Gold status
  • Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
  • Access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program

Last but not least, The Platinum Card® offers a wide range of insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, $500,000 travel accident, emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Annual fee

Primary card$799
Additional card$250

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 2xTravel
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,482
2nd Year Value$470

Transfer partners

  • AeroplanAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • Etihad GuestAirline
  • Flying BlueAirline
  • Hilton HonorsHotel
  • Marriott BonvoyHotel

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$400
Travel creditsIncluded

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $1,000
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Annual fee
$199
Our valuation
$1,190
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,190Total$1,190Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

Earn a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 Membership Rewards® points with the American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card®

  • 50,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $7,500 in purchases within the first three months of Cardmembership.
  • 20,000 additional points after spending $30,000 on your Card in your first 12 months of Cardmembership.

Plus, earn 10,000 bonus points in each calendar quarter when you spend $20,000 or more.

With this Card, you earn 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar on your purchases.

You can then use your points in many ways:

  • Statement credit for travel purchases
  • Statement credit for all purchases
  • Transfer to partner programs (Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Delta Skymiles, Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, etc.).
  • Book your flight with American Express Travel at a special rate

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to:

  • 70,000 points Aeroplan
  • 70,000 Avios
  • 70,000 Flying Blue Miles
  • 84,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

Alternatively, 70,000 Membership Rewards points can also represent a value of $700 for travel or for any purchase charged to the Card.

Also, as a cardmember, you get many advantages such as up to 55 interest-free days to maximize your cash flow.

Finally, you are covered with reliable insurance for your travels and purchases.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Annual fee

Primary card$199
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,450
2nd Year Value$209

Transfer partners

  • AeroplanAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • Etihad GuestAirline
  • Flying BlueAirline
  • Hilton HonorsHotel
  • Marriott BonvoyHotel

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $100,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Annual fee
$799
Our valuation
$2,040
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$2,040Total$2,040Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 120,000 points
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

Earn up to 120,000 points with this welcome offer for the American Express Business Platinum Card:

  • 80,000 Membership Rewards points for $15,000 net purchases within the first 3 months of membership
  • 40,000 additional points if you make a purchase between the 15th and 17th month after enrollment

You can use your Membership Rewards points in many ways:

  • Transfer your points to airline partners: Aeroplan Avios (British Airways, Qatar Airways, Finnair, Iberia), Flying Blue, Delta Skymiles, etc.
  • Transfer your points to hotel programs (Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy)
  • Redeem your points for statement credits to offset any eligible purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
  • And more!

120,000 points have a minimum value of $1,200 for a Statement credit, and much more if you transfer your points to a partner.

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to :

  • 120,000 Aeroplan points
  • 120,000 Avios
  • 120,000 Flying Blue Miles
  • 144,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With this Card, you earn 1.25 Membership Rewards points per dollar on all purchases. What’s more, you’ll enjoy a host of travel and business benefits:

  • Complimentary access for you and one additional guest to over 1,400 airport lounges in over 130 countries
  • $200 Annual travel credit
  • $100 Card Statement Credit for Nexus
  • Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
  • Hilton Honors Gold Elite status
  • Access to the Fine Hotels and Resorts program
  • Up to $120 in eligible Wireless Credits each year

With this Card you can maximize your cash flow with up to 55 interest free days. It is a card that is particularly appreciated by contractors when making large purchases in home improvement stores, for example.

Last but not least, Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers a wide range of insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, $500,000 travel accident, emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Annual fee

Primary card$799
Additional card$250

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1.25xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,815
2nd Year Value$311

Transfer partners

  • AeroplanAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • Etihad GuestAirline
  • Marriott BonvoyHotel

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$400

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $1,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $1,000
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

As we can see, both the RBC Avion Rewards and the American Express Membership Rewards program offer a nice range of credit cards, from entry-level, no-annual-fee options like the RBC ION Visa Card and the American Express® Green Card, to premium cards like the American Express Platinum Card® and the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege that give you lots of perks and benefits (more on this below).

Additionally, in choosing a new card, you may find it helpful to explore the differences between Visa Infinite cards and Visa Infinite Privilege cards, as these two card types are quite common.

Other ways to earn

In addition to using the programs’ credit cards to quickly build up your account balance, you can also earn points through the following methods:

With American Express Membership Rewards, you can earn MR points through:

  • Amex Offers: Which let you earn through targeted special offers
  • Booking travel: By making your travel arrangements through the Amex Travel portal, you can earn additional points
  • Refer-a-friend: You can earn thousands of bonus MR points when you successfully refer a friend (or friends) for an eligible American Express credit card

On the other side of this comparison, RBC Avion Rewards points can also be earned the following ways:

  • Online shopping: By shopping through the RBC shopping portal, you can earn on purchases made through participating websites
  • RBC Offers: Enjoy special opportunities to earn and save
  • Banking: Eligible RBC financial products earn Avion points
  • Merchant partners: Use your RBC credit card at partnered merchants like Petro-Canada and earn extra points

Redemption Options

The next key area that we’ll compare is the redemption options that are available once you’ve accumulated a few points.

With both the RBC Avion program and the American Express Membership Rewards program, points can be redeemed the following ways:

  • Travel
  • Transferred to other loyalty programs
  • Merchandise and gift cards
  • Statement credits, investments, and donations

Travel

For both of these programs, the most compelling and valuable redemption option is for travel.

Both RBC Avion and American Express Membership Rewards let you redeem your points to cover travel purchases made through their individual travel portals, and they both also offer a more fixed-value flight redemption option.

To best compare in this category, let’s take a look at the value you can get from each program through each redemption method.

RBC Avion Rewards

With RBC Avion Rewards, you can redeem your points for flights, hotels, car rentals, and packages booked through the RBC Travel portal at a rate of 1 Avion point = 1 cent.

If you hold an Avion-branded credit card (and are therefore an Avion Elite member), you can also redeem your hard-earned points through the RBC Travel Redemption Schedule.

This option lets you cover up to a maximum base fare for round-trip and one-way flights around the world using your Avion points.

Using this redemption method offers the best potential value, with the ability to redeem Avion points for up to 2.33 cents each in the « quick getaway » category.

American Express Membership Rewards

American Express Membership Rewards also lets you redeem your MR points for travel booked through the Amex Travel portal, and they offer the same rate as RBC at 1 MR point = 1 cent.

Through the Amex Travel portal, you have access to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and packages in the same way as the RBC Travel portal.

Additionally, for flights, you can redeem your MR points using American Express’ Fixed Points travel chart, which offers value up to 2 cents per point. However, unlike RBC’s fixed-price flight redemption option, Amex only allows you to use this feature for round-trip flights (no one-way redemptions).

Transfer partners

Both RBC Avion Rewards and American Express Memership Rewards let you transfer your points to partnered loyalty programs.

With RBC Avion, you can transfer your points to up to 4 different airline loyalty programs, depending on which Avion membership level you have access to.

Comparatively, the American Express Membership Rewards program lets you transfer to 5 airline loyalty programs and 2 hotel loyalty programs.

RBC ION CardsRBC AVION CardsAmex membership rewards
WestJet Rewards (1:1)WestJet Rewards (1:1)
British Airways Club (1:1)
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1)
American Airlines AAdvantage (1:0.7)

Aeroplan (1:1)
Air France KLM Flying Blue (1:1)
British Airways Club (1:1)
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:0.75)
Delta SkyMiles (1:0.75)
Hilton Honors (1:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (5:6)

Notably, both programs let you transfer to The British Airways Club, turning your Avion points or MR points into Avios. This a particularly useful transfer as once you’ve got some British Airways Avios, you can then also transfer them onwards to the other Avios programs with Qatar Airways, Iberia, Finnair, and Aer Lingus.

Additionally, RBC Avion points can also be transferred between Avion accounts, so as long as you have an Avion-branded card, you’ll be able to access all the redemption options from that level using the points you earn across all your cards.

Gift cards

If you’ve got some Avion points or MR points in your account, and you don’t want to spend them on travel or transfer them to a partnered program, you can choose to redeem them for gift cards, merchandise, statement credits, and more.

With American Express Membership Rewards, examples of gift card redemption value includes:

  • $25 Amex gift card = 3,125 MR points
  • $100 Air Canada gift card = 13,000 MR points

These offer values of 0.8 cents per MR point and 0.77 cents per MR point, respectively.

With RBC Avion Rewards, you can expect gift card redemptions such as:

  • $25 prepaid Visa = 4,200 Avion points
  • $10 McDonald’s gift card = 1,400 Avion points
  • $100 Air Canada gift card = 10,000 Avion points

In terms of value, these options are worth 0.6 cents per Avion point, 0.71 cents per point, and 1 cent per Avion point, respectively.

Merchandise

When redeeming your points for merchandise, it’s difficult to determine exact value since the price of a given item tends to change from store to store and from day to day.

That said, we can compare the number of reward points that each program requires for the same item on the same day.

For example, if you wanted to redeem either your RBC Avion points or your American Express Membership Rewards points for a set of AirPods 4, it would cost you:

  • MR points = 28,300
  • Avion points = 27,538

Statement credits and investments

In terms of using your points for bills, statement credits, and investments, RBC Avion and American Express Membership Rewards offer the redemption values listed below.

American Express Membership Rewards

  • statement credit: $10 = 1,000 points (or 1 cent per point)
  • pay off a single item: $10 = 1,000 points (or 1 cent per point)
  • donations: $10 = 1,000 points (or 1 cent per point)

RBC Avion Rewards

  • statement credit: $25 = 4,300 points (or 0.58 cents per point)
  • pay a bill: $10 = 1,724 points (or 0.58 cents per point)
  • investment credit: $25 = 3,000 points (or 0.83 cents per point)
  • donations: $10 = 1,000 points (or 1 cent per point)

Other Benefits

Each of the programs also offers a number of additional benefits; however, many of these are specific to individual credit cards, so you’ll have to check out our credit card pages to get the full picture of which card offers which perk.

To give you a general idea, American Express Membership Rewards credit cards include benefits such as:

Comparatively, RBC Avion credit cards have been known to come with the following perks:

  • Travel insurance coverage
  • Priority airport services
  • Airport lounge passes
  • Partner merchant benefits with Canadian Tire, Moi Rewards, Petro-Canada, and more.
  • Exclusive savings on Hertz car rentals and a free 12-month DoorPass subscription

Bottom Line

After comparing all the key areas above, we think that the American Express Membership Rewards program comes out just ahead of the RBC Avion Rewards program thanks to its slightly higher credit card earn rates and its longer list of airline and hotel loyalty program transfer partners.

That said, RBC Avion is a very close second, offering strong earning rates and incrementally better value in terms of fixed-price flight redemptions.

All and all, both programs stand out in the Canadian loyalty landscape as not only being powerful and versatile, but also being easy to access and enjoy.

If you’re interested in saving money on your future travels, we highly recommend exploring these programs further and signing up for one or both of them.

You can also check out other valuable programs in our Head-to-Head: TD Rewards vs. Scotiabank Scene+ article and learn even more ways to save on travel, daily expenses, and more.

FAQs

Which credit cards earn RBC Avion Rewards points?

The following credits cards allow you to earn RBC Avion Rewards points, with earn rates as high as 3 points per $1 spent:

Which credit cards can I use to earn American Exprsss Membership Rewards points?

In Canada, American Express Membership Rewards points can be earned on the following credit cards:

What’s the best way to redeem RBC Avion Rewards points?

Ultimately, the best way to redeem RBC Avion Rewards points depends on your personal travel and financial priorities since the best redemption is the one you’ll appreciate and enjoy.

That said, with RBC Avion Rewards points, you can get the best value by redeeming them for flights through the RBC Travel Redemption Schedule.

What’s the best way to redeem American Express Membership Rewards points?

To get the best value from your American Express Membership Rewards points, we recommend transferring them to partnered airline and hotel loyalty programs and using them to save on flights and hotels. This option is the easiest and most consistent way to get at least 1.7-2 cents per point in value that we think these points are worth.

However, if you don’t want to use your points for travel, you can also redeem them in other ways (e.g., statement credits) for a value of 1 cent per point and even more ways for lower value.

Our featured card

Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 points
Ends Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Our editorial integrity

Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.